West Suffolk Council’s UKSPF Town Centre Fund

19 Jul 2024

West Suffolk Council has created a Town Centre Fund using the UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) to improve town centres and high streets, fostering a sense of local pride and belonging in West Suffolk.

The national funding is designed by Government to raise people’s satisfaction with their town centre and engagement in local culture and community.

By securing over £38,000 of the UKSPF to be used in 2023 to 2024, West Suffolk Council created Town Centre Fund, with further funding over £192,000 available from 2024 to 2025.

West Suffolk’s investment through intervention E1 must result in:

• increased footfall
• increased visitor numbers
• reduced town centre premises vacancy rates
• rehabilitated premises
• public realm improvements
• creation of more wheelchair accessible/step free space in town centres

The scheme is open to town councils and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the West Suffolk district and the funding must be spent within the town centre of the respective organisation. Where there is both a BID and town council representing one area, both should coordinate one bid for their activities. Applicants must note that the allocation of the requested full amount may not be granted and will depend on demand.

The following priorities have been identified by West Suffolk Council for the Town Centre Fund and all applicants must ensure that their application demonstrates a good fit with one or more of the following:

1. visual improvements to town centres and high streets
2. support to bring empty premises back into use
3. public realm improvements for example litter, waste and graffiti reduction
4. cultural/visitor economy interventions
5. projects to prevent and reduce antisocial behaviour
6. capital funding to improve neighbourhoods or community projects and initiatives
7. creation of more wheelchair accessible or step free space in town centres

Cllr Cliff Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “I am pleased that we are able to secure funding to further help our communities and businesses in West Suffolk. This opportunity is welcomed as an addition to the money we already invest as a council or attract from other partners. It is vital for us to support town centres and make investments that improve on the provision of quality spaces to visit and improve sustainability in the places that our residents use to live, shop, work and play. I look forward to working with our applicants and others to deliver these initiatives here in West Suffolk as soon as possible!”

Further information on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including case studies of the type of projects the Government wishes to see supported is available here: GOV - UKSPF what to use funding for 

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